At the heart of innovative cancer research is compassionate, expert patient care. We are seeking a Research Financial Analyst who is passionate about overseeing the cash flow of clinical trials while helping bring tomorrow's cancer therapies to patients today.
Highlands Oncology began in 1996 with three physicians and a desire to change the face of oncology care in our community. Dr. Malcolm Hayward, Dr. Dan Bradford, and Dr. Thad Beck knew that patients do better at home, in the community where they live and work, and where their support system is already in place. In furthering that goal, Highlands has grown with the region from a single location 30 years ago, to 6 locations in Northwest and Northcentral Arkansas today employing more that 850 diverse team members.
As Northwest Arkansas continues to grow, so must the services and providers available in the region. Highlands Oncology is committed to remaining on the cutting edge to ensure our community has access to there very best cancer care. What we have is something quite unique right here in our own backyard with a caring multidisciplinary team focused on treating patients like family.
Highlands Oncology research department has provided clinical trials to our community for over 30 years, including many first-in-human cancer treatments. Our department is committed to remaining on the cutting edge to ensure our community has access to many clinical trial opportunities. We have worked with the pharmaceutical industry to develop many treatments that are standard practice today.
Job Summary:
The Research Financial Analyst manages end to end invoicing and patient reimbursements, The role conducts ongoing reconciliation of sponsor payments, study expenses, and CTMS financial data, resolving discrepancies, and maintaining audit ready documentation. The analyst oversees expense management and coordinates with Accounts Payable. They provide advanced CTMS management. The position collaborates with all Research and Highlands teams, as well as external partners such as pharmaceutical sponsors and healthcare entities, while adhering to FDA regulations, Good Clinical Practice, Highlands Oncology policies, and sponsor requirements.
Job Duties / Responsibilities:
Invoice & Reimbursement Management
Process, review, and issue accurate patient and sponsor invoices in alignment with study budgets and contract terms; coordinate patient reimbursement workflows, maintain required documentation, and manage inventory of Highlands payment cards and sponsor provided reimbursement cards.
Billing Accuracy & Financial Coordination — Validate study related activities to ensure all billable items are captured and correct; work with the Highlands Oncology Business Office to ensure patient reimbursements are paid.
Communication & Audit Readiness — Collaborate with clinical and data teams and Sponsors to resolve invoice discrepancies and maintain transparent financial tracking; maintain complete, audit ready financial documentation for internal reviews and sponsor audits.
Reconciliation
Account Reconciliation — Perform reconciliation of sponsor payments, patient reimbursements, and study-related expenses against Study Contract and Budget and CTMS data.
Variance Analysis — Identified, investigated, and resolved financial variances, ensuring alignment between site records, sponsor remittances, and contractual budgets.
Payment Tracking — Monitored incoming sponsor payments, applied funds to correct studies/visits in CTMS, and escalated overdue or missing payments.
Expenses
Expense Oversight & Budget Management — Track, categorize, and monitor department and grant/clinical trial expenditures; develop and maintain the annual department budget; prepare short and long term financial forecasts and revenue/expense analyses to support strategic planning and decision making.
Compliance Review & AP Coordination — Verify invoices and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance with institutional and sponsor contracts; ensure all approved invoices are submitted to Accounts Payable and processed for timely payment.
Reporting & Budget Monitoring — Prepare detailed monthly and quarterly expense reports; monitor budgets to flag overspend risks and expense anomalies to Supervisor.
Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) Management
CTMS Configuration & Study Setup — Oversee CTMS setup by building study calendars, creating milestones, and configuring invoiceable items. Ensure that configurations are aligned with study budgets, visit schedules, and contract terms.
Data Integrity & System Reporting — Maintain accurate, up to date CTMS data by validating visit completions, milestones, budgets, and payment schedules; generate financial reports, dashboards, and study performance metrics for internal and sponsor use.
Workflow Management & Cross Functional Support — Manage CTMS workflows, update statuses, troubleshoot system issues, and collaborate with clinical and data teams to ensure CTMS data reflects real world study progress.
Demonstrate a high level of professionalism and responsiveness when interacting with internal and external customers and patients.
Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills.
Attends required research department meetings/activities.
Maintain patient/sponsor confidentiality.
Promptly report to work at designated times and maintain good attendance with no unexcused absences.
Support and adhere to organizational decisions, policies, and procedures.
Willingly accept assignments and complete them in a timely manner and cross train and provide back-up as needed.
